Rajeev Lama and his neighbours are all set to celebrate their last Durga Puja in their forest village by the Jainti river in Alipurduar district.

By next year's Puja, Lama and all others dwelling in Jainti, the village named after the river and located in the Buxa Tiger Reserve (BTR) area of Alipurduar, will be shifted to a new locality.

Dwellers of some other forest villages have been shifted outside the reserve area in recent years.

“This is our last Dirga Puja in our village as the state forest department has already initiated the process of relocation. During the next few months, the entire village will be relocated somewhere outside the BTR,” said Lama, who is also the secretary of the Jainti Durga Puja Committee.

In all, 449 families live in Jainti, which is 31 kilometres far from Alipurduar district headquarters. For years now, they have been organising Durga Puja here. Tourists and residents from neighbouring hamlets also come to see this Puja.

However, as tigers would be released in the reserve area, forest villages like Jainti are being relocated under the guidelines of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).

So far, the state forest department has already relocated villagers of Bhutiabusty and Gangutiabusty — two other forest villages — at Bonochhaya in Kalchini block. At the new location, they have been provided with plots for houses and basic amenities like drinking water, power supply and roads. Each family has received a compensation of ₹15 lakh.

Apurba Sen, the field director of the BTR, said 427 families of Jainti village have agreed to relocate.

“We believe the remaining families will also give their assent to relocate. The proposal has been sent to the state government and will be approved in due course. Then, we will start the relocation process,” said Sen.

Still, the decision has evoked a response. Some residents like Jagadish Oraon are disappointed as they will have to leave the place where they have lived for generations. Others say they are happy as the young generation will get more opportunities.

“We are happy as the young generation will get better schools and job opportunities. Jainti is a remote forest village. As far as Durga Puja is concerned, we will organise it wherever we are relocated,” said Rakesh Patel, a resident of Jainti.

Till now, Durga Puja was held at a temple near the Jainti High School.

Sources in the administration said that at Bonochhaya, where residents of two other forest villages have been shifted, initiatives to develop the area as a tourist destination are on. Villagers are being asked to focus on homestays, handicraft and local cuisine. "Similar initiatives can be taken for the villagers of Jainti once they shift to the new location,” said an official.